Mechanism of endocarp-imposed constraints of germination of Lannea microcarpa seeds

Lannea microcarpa, a multipurpose tree species from the dry African savanna, sheds seeds that often display inhibition of germination. The underlying mechanism was investigated using seeds processed from fully matured fruits collected from natural stands in Burkina Faso. Germination of fresh seeds was variable (16¿28%), while they did not germinate after drying and rehydration. Mechanical scarification of the endocarp at the proximal end of the seeds increased germination to 83¿94%. Scarification on the distal end led to delayed radicle emergence through the produced hole in c. 40% of the seeds. The endocarp was permeable to water and respiratory gases. Increased water content in scarified seeds was associated with radicle extension during germination. Intact and scarified non-germinated seeds displayed a moderate rate of respiration with respiratory quotient (RQ) values of c. 1. Respiration increased and RQ decreased to c. 0.7 with radicle emergence. Ethylene evolution peaked in both intact and scarified seeds at the beginning of incubation and then decreased to low values. Inhibition of ethylene production by 1¿5 mM 2-amino-ethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) caused only a partial decrease of germination of the scarified seeds. Intact non-germinated seeds gradually lost viability during incubation at 30°C, but could be rescued by delayed scarification before day 15 of incubation. It is concluded that radicle emergence in dry L. microcarpa seeds is inhibited only mechanically. The mechanical properties of the endocarp are attributed to irreversible structural changes of the lignin¿hemicellulose complex, which occur during drying

Effects of caerulein on the gastric motility of rats.

The effects of caerulein on gastric motility in urethane-anesthetized rats were studied. Caerulein administered into the lateral cerebral ventricle (i.c.v.) and jugular vein (i.v.) caused predominantly an inhibitory effect on gastric motility but sometimes an excitatory or a biphasic effect. The inhibitory response was reduced after vagotomy and/or splanchnicotomy, or after guanethidine. The remaining inhibitory response was abolished by tetrodotoxin, but was resistant to atropine and guanethidine. The excitatory response was abolished by atropine. Discharges of the gastric branch of the vagus nerve were decreased by i.v. injection of caerulein but increased by i.c.v. injection, whereas those of the splanchnic nerve were increased by both i.v. and i.c.v. injection. These results suggest that caerulein causes an inhibition of gastric motility by centrally stimulating vagal non-adrenergic inhibitory nerves and splanchnic adrenergic nerves and inhibiting vagal cholinergic nerves, and by peripherally stimulating non-adrenergic inhibitory neurons of the myenteric plexus. This peptide causes an excitation by stimulating cholinergic neurons of the myenteric plexus.</p

Analysis of the Effect of Regional Financial Independence on Economic Growth and Poverty Level of Regional Communities in West Kotawaringin Regency

This research aims to analyze ; Financial independence of West Kotawaringin Regency, the influence of regional financial independence on economic growth and rate of povertyin West Kotawaringin Regency. This research use quantitative descriptive method.&nbsp; This research using Secondary data that form as time series from 2009-2018. Data collection using library research method. Analyze data by using path analysis model. The results showed that The Financial Independence of West Kotawaringin Regency is still low. The level of regional financial independence directly has a positive influence on economic growth and has a negative influence on the rate of poverty. Indirectly, the level of regional financial independence has a negative influence on the rete of poverty in West Kotawaringin Regency

The effect of cecal volume change on gastric motility in rats.

The effect of a change in cecal volume on gastric motility was studied in 24 h fasted rats anesthetized with urethane (0.8 g/kg, i.p.). A cecal volume increase from 1 to 10 ml (in 1 ml steps) produced a decrease in the basal tone of the stomach. The maximal inhibitory response was produced with an 8 to 10-ml increase in cecal volume. The gastric inhibitory response continued as long as the increased cecal volume was maintained. It was abolished by a combination of a splanchnicotomy and vagotomy, or only a splanchnicotomy in a few cases. The inhibition of gastric motility by increasing the cecal volume also occurred after severance of dorsal roots between T8 and L4 and gastric branches of vagus nerves. It is suggested that an increase in cecal volume induces gastric relaxation mainly via the splanchnico-splanchnic pathway and partly via the vago-vagal and vago-splanchnic pathways. Therefore, retardation in transit of the gastric contents in germ free rats having an enlarged cecum may be attributed to an enhancement of the ceco-gastric inhibitory reflex. The ceco-gastric inhibitory response mediated by the splanchnic pathway was abolished by guanethidine (3-5 mg/kg, i.v.), but the response mediated by the vagal pathway was resistant to guanethidine as well as to atropine (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.). This result indicates that splanchnic postganglionic efferents are adrenergic, while vagal postganglionic efferents are non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic.</p

Simplified Equation Models for Greenhouses Gases Assessment in Road Transport Sector in Burkina Faso

Transport sector is cited among the key emitted sector. In Burkina Faso, road transport occupies more than 60% of the emissions of the entire transport sector. However, there is no model equation for greenhouse gases modelling in transport sector. A methodology combining literature review and survey has been adopted to develop the simplified model equation in transport sector. The vehicle type survey allowed the identification of the type of vehicle and the literature review allowed the identification of the key parameters used for greenhouses gases modelling. The results revealed 10 vehicle types for road transport in Burkina Faso such as: Private cars, Public Transport/Buses, Special Vehicle (Ambulances, Fire bus, Funeral vehicles), other vehicle, Motorcycles, Wheeler, Rail, Van, Lorries and Truck Tractor. The keys parameters for greenhouse gases modelling are Fleet availability, Average annual distance travelled, Fuel Economy and Fuel emission factor. For all vehicle type identified simplified model equation was developed to support Burkina Faso, assessing greenhouse gases emission in the sector of transport. This approach could be replicated in other countries in the sub-Saharan Region

Aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein mutations and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) comprises a spectrum of heritable connective tissue disorders with varying genetic origins and clinical manifestations such as soft tissue fragility and skin hyperextensibility. There are multiple EDS subtypes, the first few of which were defined by collagen mutations. Many new EDS variants have been discovered involving mutations that do not necessarily implicate collagen biosynthesis but do involve extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. One of these proteins, Aortic Carboxypeptidase-Like Protein (ACLP), is a large secreted protein encoded by the AEBP1 (adipocyte enhancer binding protein 1) gene. Previous research has shown that ACLP plays a vital role in binding collagen via its discoidin domain and therefore regulates connective tissue assembly. Thus far, individuals from 7 different families have been identified with different EDS-causing ACLP mutations. Some mutations are ACLP null whereas other mutations lead to expressed mutant ACLP. One of these mutations is characterized by a single-nucleotide deletion that causes the insertion of 40 amino acids in the discoidin domain of ACLP. It is therefore denoted “ACLP-Ins40”. The goal of this research was to characterize the ACLP-Ins40 protein and investigate how mutations in ACLP disrupt ECM homeostasis and cause EDS. We initially sought to determine if the ACLP-Ins40 mutation would alter ACLP’s ability to bind collagen. To achieve this goal we generated expression vectors of full length human ACLP carrying the Ins40 mutation. By western blot, it was determined that ACLP-Ins40 was not secreted from fibroblasts and was retained intracellularly. We then hypothesized that the retention of ACLP-Ins40 in the secretory pathway would induce ER stress due to misfolding. 3T3 fibroblasts were co-transfected with the ACLP-Ins40 expression vector and an XBP1u-EGFP sensor of ER stress. Immunofluorescence imaging revealed that in comparison to WT, fibroblasts expressing ACLP-Ins40 experienced ER stress with significantly increased spliced XBP1. This may then cause cell death, the improper secretion of other important ECM proteins, or defective collagen scaffolding, all which could contribute to symptoms of EDS. These studies contribute to our current understanding of how mutations in the AEBP1 gene and alterations in the ACLP protein cause EDS. This connection provides a framework for future research and for targeted interventions to treat EDS.2021-06-17T00:00:00

Chlorido(12,17-dieth­oxy­carbonyl-11,18-dimethyl-2:3,6:7-dibutano­corrphycenato-κ4 N)iron(III)

The title complex, [Fe(C36H36N4O4)Cl], shows a domed structure with a slightly distorted trapezoidpyramidal core, in which the perpendicular displacements of the FeIII atom from the mean pyrrole N4 plane are 0.418 (3) and 0.465 (3) Å for the two crystallographically independent mol­ecules

Limit theorems for semi-Markov processes

A new construction of regeneration times is exploited to prove ergodic and renewal theorems for semi-Markov processes on general state spaces. This work extends results of the authors in Ann. Probability (6 (1978), 788-797)

Effect of motilin on the sphincter of Oddi in the dog.

To investigate the action of motilin on the sphincter of Oddi, the flow rate of the perfusate (FRP) discharged into the duodenal lumen through the orifice of the common bile duct was measured by means of an electric drop counter in decerebrated dogs. Motilin in doses above 0.5 micrograms/kg i.v. reduced or stopped the FRP. The fifty percent recovery time of FRP was 20 min and full recovery time was 30 min. The reduction of FRP induced by motilin was unaffected by denervation and atropinization. These results suggest that motilin caused an increase in tone of the sphincter of Oddi by acting on the sphincter muscle.</p